Gandhi was slightly changed. The wasted body was even lower on its
cushions. The look of intense weariness was still apparent, but the
look of fearlessness was enhanced. Dicky heard the humming of the
_charka_ in the next room as before. The fragrance returned to his
nostrils. The old feeling stole over him of eagerness to do something
for the physical welfare of the man before him, something to make the
mere enduring of life easier.
“Physicians tell me that I should be very quiet,” Gandhi explained with
a smile. “It is true that I was unable to keep all my appointments to
speak on the other side of India, but in the main I am very active.
The human body may be made to do what is required of it, after a
fashion.... Yes, there are many changes. Our position is rapidly
becoming one of direct opposition to Government. We were slow to
realize these things.... Our movement depends for its success entirely
upon perfect self-possession, self-restraint, absolute adherence to
truth and unlimited capacity for self-suffering. In this manner only
may we dare to oppose the Rowlatt legislation, and resist the spirit
of terrorism which lies behind it, and of which it is the most glaring
symptom.”
Dicky’s reaction was queer. He understood the point about the
Government daring to leave this man at large, but didn’t Government
see deeper than this placid mask? Of all keepers of the peace, Gandhi
was apparently master; but in the fearlessness of the eyes that gazed
on him now, Dicky fancied for a moment, at least, that he saw what
British Government did not. The Little Man suddenly appeared to him as
the living embodiment of the Enemy to all existing Governments, utterly
terrible in stillness and poise. At the same time, Dicky didn’t lose
for a moment his feeling of pity for the wasted figure before him, that
tenderness which he could not even have explained to an American.
“... I see you have been faithfully at work, Mr. Cobden,” the Little
Man was saying now. “Some time I would have you tell me of your days on
the French fields--what you found there after India--whatever you care
to speak of experiences which evidently have brought you forward in
kindness and understanding and peace----”
“I am glad you find----” Dicky began in an embarrassed tone.
“It is well for me to tell you, but that is sufficient,” Gandhi added.
“These are our affairs, not yours----”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand that.”
“We have a saying that one who is coming forward in attainment must not
delay his progress by pausing to contemplate or analyze himself. One’s
attainment rightly is the joy and affair of every other being but that
one.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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